A native interactor scaffolds and stabilizes toxic Ataxin-1 oligomers in SCA1

C. A. Lasagna-Reeves, M. W.C. Rousseaux, M. J. Guerrero-Munoz, J. Park, P. Jafar-Nejad, R. Richman, N. Lu, U. Sengupta, A. Litvinchuk, H. T. Orr, R. Kayed, H. Y. Zoghbi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that soluble oligomers drive pathogenesis in several neurodegenerative proteinopathies, including Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Curiously, the same conformational antibody recognizes different disease-related oligomers, despite the variations in clinical presentation and brain regions affected, suggesting that the oligomer structure might be responsible for toxicity. We investigated whether polyglutamine-expanded Ataxin1, the protein that underlies spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, forms toxic oligomers and, if so, what underlies their toxicity. We found that mutant ATXN1 does form oligomers and that oligomer levels correlate with disease progression in the Atxn1154Q/+ mice. Moreover, oligomeric toxicity, stabilization and seeding require interaction with Capicua, which is expressed at greater ratios with respect to ATXN1 in the cerebellum than in less vulnerable brain regions. Thus, specific interactors, not merely oligomeric structure, drive pathogenesis and contribute to regional vulnerability. Identifying interactors that stabilize toxic oligomeric complexes could answer longstanding questions about the pathogenesis of other proteinopathies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere07558
Pages (from-to)1-46
Number of pages46
JournaleLife
Volume4
Issue numberMAY
DOIs
StatePublished - May 19 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A native interactor scaffolds and stabilizes toxic Ataxin-1 oligomers in SCA1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this